Australian children are now averaging more than four hours a day on screens, according to new figures that point to a worsening health problem.
Teenagers are among those hit hardest, with some saying they spend as much as 11 hours a day on their devices. Fewer than one in five are getting more than 60 minutes of exercise because of it.
“I listen to like rain music at night, so that could be a reason,” one teen told 7NEWS.
Adults are also struggling, with many saying they spend between three and eight hours a day on their phones as doom scrolling becomes harder to avoid.
Health experts say the heavy use of screens is causing major harm to children’s development.
“These are kids coming to us with real challenges around meltdowns, already falling behind in their language development or their new skill learning. It’s really heartbreaking for us to see,” RACGP Child Health Specialist Dr Tim Jones said.
Researchers say social media platforms are built to hold users’ attention, making it increasingly difficult to step away.
“It’s a new sort of slot machine, if you like. It basically keeps us engaged and engaged and is relentless at doing that. It is such an addiction,” explained Professor Ken Purnell, from CQUniversity’s educational neuroscience department.
Experts say the main issue is not only the amount of time being absorbed by screens, but everything people are losing in the real world, with warnings this could become Australia’s next major health crisis.
“The loss of engagement with partners, with grandchildren, whoever it might be, just simply the world,” Purnell cautioned.
Families are being urged to set phone-free times and phone-free areas, particularly at the dinner table and before bed.
Experts say the goal is not to remove technology altogether, but to regain control over how it is used.
“There is nothing wrong with rugging your child up against the cold, getting to the local playground, getting to the local nature park,” Jones said.
